Elle McBriar

July 20th, 4 months and 8 days after the first zombie report

Some say that paranormal activity isn't real. That ghosts, vampires and zombies are fiction. Old wives tales to get the children to bed.

I didn't believe them until it happened to me.

To say I was scared was an understatement. I feared for my life every second of everyday. And when I was alone, my fight or flight levels were increased. But now I have people by my side, and someone to protect, I feel like a new person.

I've been gone for an hour, wandering the streets with Riley on my arm. He's getting heavy. I wish I could find something to carry him in. Alex suggested I take the baby carrier, but I refused. It would way us down.

But I have a walkie talkie strapped to my side, the buzzing noise constantly irritating me.

My feet ached as I walked the uneven and unruly roads, broken and split concrete, causing me to jump over them. The buildings were getting closer and closer together as I walked through them, weaving inside and through old buildings, seeing broken glass and completely raided stores. It's ridiculous.

"BcBriar, come in, it's Alex, do you read me?" Alex's static voice came in over the radio, "I read you Alex, what's up?" "We just killed a few dead ones, keep an eye out. They sneak up on you." I clicked the talk button, "Copy that."

I stopped in my tracks. Do my eyes deceive me? Is that a shopping cart? God must be on my side today because it has a baby seat, cracked in the middle but still useful. I ran over to it, taking Riley from my side and strapping him in, "Hello Riley, yes, hello." I used me baby voice, ticking his stomach as he giggled. He was looking up at me, finger in his mouth, blue eyes wide.

He's so beautiful, soft and tiny. I love babies.

"If there's a cart here, there's got to be some sort of food place nearby right?" I sound crazy, talking to myself, but Riley giggled back, so I'm not alone.

I kept walking along the roads, pushing the cart and keeping my eyes on Riley majority of the time. I looked behind me, beside me, and in front, watching out for dark corners and small spaces. It seems too quiet here, for zombies to be. I'm probably wrong though.

Eyeing a blue cross, I head in that direction, feeling victorious as I see a pharmacy.

Band aids - check.

Tylenol, paracetamol and pain meds - check.

Gauze, wrapping tape and like, 6 first aid kids - check.

I guess when the zombie outbreak hit, people didn't have time to raid shit. I hate to say it, but it was only a matter of time before they died. Which leaves more for us.

Emergency blankets - check.

Look at me go. There wasn't much from this pharmacy I needed. Mostly just medical stuff, in case. I grabbed a few extras, like cough medicine for babies and other things in case. You can never be too careful.

When I exited the store, I almost got caught. Three zombies in my line of vision. I hid behind a fallen wall, pieces of stone falling out of it as I hid behind it. I'm scared now, up strapping Riley in the cart as I secured and hid him.

Grabbing the gun, I opened the magazine, thankfully Paxton reloaded my gun. Full ammo in one gun could kill these guys. Placing a blanket over Riley's ears to hopefully soften the noise, I stepped out of the hiding spot, cocking the gun.

The cart was still in arms reach as I fired the first two bullets, the zombie dropping dead. Due to the noise, Riley began to cry, and the fuckers saw me. I had to move quickly. Firing four more times, once for good measure, I holstered my gun, running back to the cart.

"I'm sorry Riley, I know it was scary, I'm sorry." I rushed, practically running out of there. The black blood from the zombies pooled out under my feet, sticking to my shoes.

Black blood means infected. If it's black, get out. If it's red, you're safe.

I got out of there as quick as I could, not even caring about the uneven roads. I got out of that small space. I slowed down after I was in a wide open area, easier for me to see. It was flat, patches of overgrown grass spilled onto the concrete.

I looked down, wiping my shoes on the concrete.

But I noticed lines. White painted lines. I followed the painted lines, it was a car park. I'm a car park, but what for? The only building is a white building, what the hell?

At first I thought it was a bakery, but as I entered inside, I realised it was a Walmart. "Thank you God." I praised, smiling down at a, now calm Riley, "We did it Riley, we got the food." Looking around, this place seemed to be ransacked. Not a single shelf that didn't have something missing. The meat and produce aisle was wiped clean.

But the stench of rotting zombies made my eyes water. I pulled my shirt up to cover my nose, continuing down the aisles.

I mainly took necessities. Bread, eggs, milk. The packs of water were still there. I took at least four. That should last a while. Salt, pepper and other small things I was excited to get. The cart was getting fuller and fuller. And I realised we'd probably all have to go vegetarian, considering there's no meat anymore.

You know it's weird, I haven't seen a single animal. No dogs, cats, rabbits or lizards. It's like they disappeared too.

I pressed the call button on the walkie talkie, "No one is allergic to anything, right?" I said, waiting for a response, "No. No allergies." "Copy that."

Slipping the talkie back into my pocket, I almost dropped it, seeing the biggest motherfucker I've ever seen.

A zombie. About 6 foot 4, beer gut and leaning over another zombie, blood gushing from his mouth. Oh fuck oh fuck. This is how I die.

I tried to quietly make my way around it, but it heard me. It turned around, a deadly, scowl on it's face. Zombie's look blind because all the color drains from their face, including their eyes.

But this guy, ripped jeans, flannel on, black blood literally everywhere. This is going to take more than two bullets. I ran, sliding around on the linoleum floor of this grocery store. I saw door and pushed on it, hearing the heavy footsteps and loud breathing of the zombie behind me. He's fast.

"Open up you son of a cunt!" I barged on it, breaking the lock with my foot as I ran inside, closing it. I was breathing heavy, a worried look on Riley's face. Okay, what do I do?

"Okay Riley. You stay right here, don't make any noise okay?" I stuffed the cart in the corner of the one door room. I was white and small, it had one broken printer in it and a fuel box, that's it. Other than that, it was dark.

All the power was out everywhere. The only reason we can see is because of windows. But even then, it's still dark.

"I'm going to be right back okay? I'll be right back for you." I said in a hushed whisper. I pulled off my coat, draping it over Riley, making a fort so he can breath, but also not be seen.

With shaking hands, I fingered both my guns, both fingers in the trigger hold as I stepped closer to the door. I couldn't hear anything outside. But I slowly turned the knob, opening it enough so I could see. I saw the zombie standing by an aisle, a few meters away from me. Opening the door wide enough to slip out and then closing it, I quietly tip toed around.

I could see him from where I was crouching, behind a half empty shelf, peering through the cracks. You can do this Elle, come on. Just shoot him.

Holding up my gun, I shot at him, in the back. He groaned and turned around, I ducked, holding my breath. I pray Riley doesn't make a sound. I pray nothing happens. The zombie turns around, so I get a clear view of his face.

Once in the chest, he's still standing. Shit, what do I do?

I used the last 4 bullets in one of my guns. He was wounded. A few more should do the tricks. I crossed my fingers, looking through the target as I aimed it between his eyes. Hopefully he couldn't see me.

My hands were shaking like crazy. I pushed my finger down, releasing the pressure as my very last bullet shot through the air, firing right into the side of his head. He dropped dead, a very relieved sigh escaped my lips.

All I wanted to do was rest, but I have to get Riley and finish this.

"Hi Riley, I'm back, are you ready? Lets go." Grabbing the cart, I pushed through the aisles, literally swiping my arm along the shelves and knocking anything I can into it.

I came across the clothes. Who cares about sizes. Grabbing shirts, pants, coats, socks, underwear and belts, I just shoved it an ran.

I don't doubt there's probably a dozen other zombies hiding out somewhere so I need to leave now. Feeling fear creep up my neck, I grabbed my walkie, "I don't have any bullets on me. I'm about an hours walk but Riley and I are safe. We're on our way to you." I said hurriedly, picking up my pace, "What do you mean you don't have any bullets left?" Gage screamed, "I had to kill this one guy, taller the fucking store, he was eating.. nevermind. But he took all my bullets."

Gage told me to just keep walking. I told him I had my knives and that I'd be fine. I just hope we don't run into anymore trouble.

I went down the same route as before, squeezing down tiny alleys and down the ruble. I saw the van and I could finally breath. I called out to Alex, who came over and helped me.

"Were you successful?" He asked, I pulled my coat off the cart, his eyes wide as he stared at me, "How?" I shrugged, "There's a Walmart an hour away, it's completely stocked with everything. And I went to a pharmacy too, everything is loaded." I whispered.

Alex nodded, "Good. Come on, Gage found us a place."

* * *

heyy

this was intense. but it doesn't stop there.

tell me what you wanna see :))

happy reading!